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- Jamie Mackie Talking of Playing for Scotland...and re Everton
"...Mackie insists he wouldn't look out of place in the Premiership but wants to book a place there by helping Neil Warnock's side win promotion.
He said: "I'm delighted to be at QPR. We're doing fairly well just now and my aim is to play in the Premiership.
"It will take hard work as a team to get there and I'm prepared to graft in training to improve my game.
"I don't know anything about an interest from Everton. I'm just keeping my head down and grafting for QPR.
"This is a tough league to get out of and I don't want to be distracted.
"I see Blackpool and West Brom picking up good results in the Premiership and it gives me hope. That could be us next term and we would love to go up"
Sunday Mail/Daily Record
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QPR 3 Reading 1
QPR 15 23 33
Cardiff 14 16 32
Swansea 14 8 26
Derby 15 10 24
Coventry 15 4 24
Ipswich 15 3 24
Norwich 15 2 24
Leeds 15 -2 23 - TABLE
SUNDAY PEOPLE/Matt Buttler
QPR 3-1 Reading: Terror Taarabt gives Warnock sleepless nights he’s so good
ADEL TAARABT’S star turn for Rangers had manager Neil Warnock in dreamland.
The Moroccan playmaker with a mohawk haircut scored one and set up another for 10-man Hoops, who stormed back to the top of the Championship table after ending a run of four successive draws.
Warnock has warned in the past that Taarabt will have a bad game at some point but on yesterday’s evidence, when he has a good one, Rangers are unstoppable.
His cheekily chipped penalty for QPR’s opener was the kind of goal only the most confident of players could score.
And his talent on the flanks reduced Reading to petulant swipes and sneaky off-the-ball niggles.
Talisman
Taarabt went on to fire in a free-kick which saw Tommy Smith blast home on the rebound to clinch the points after Alejandro Faurlin’s strike had made it 2-0.
Warnock said: “It’ll take until probably 11 o’clock tonight for me to come down from a game like that.
“I will probably take a sleeping tablet because I do get a little bit carried away. But I do feel very proud when I am manager of a team of 10 men performing like that.
“Adel is such a likeable rogue and I love him. He does things that people pay to watch and I never thought he would be my kind of player.
“He is a talisman for us and when we get the best out of him he is a handful.
“You couldn’t take your eye off him. He needed three to stop him at one stage.”
After QPR went down to 10 men just before the break due to Bradley Orr’s two-footed challenge on Hal Robson-Kanu, they did the opposite of what they should have done.
They might have protected their lead, but with players like Taarabt backed up by Jamie Mackie, Smith and Rob Hulse in their attack, Rangers looked like they didn’t know how to sit back.
Warnock added: “I learned from last season when QPR played Reading away and we had a man sent off.
“We went a bit negative then and got done in the last minute with a dodgy penalty.
“So I changed my mind today. I told them at half-time to have a go at them in the second half.
“I can see why the referee sent off Orr. In slow motion it looks harsh, but when he did it I thought ‘what are you doing?’ But if anything, it galvanised us.”
Faurlin added the Hoops’ second goal just past the hour after Hulse’s shot was blocked by Zurab Khizanishvili.
The Argentinian midfielder pounced on the loose ball to smash home.
Shane Long, fresh from signing a new deal that will keep him at the Madejski Stadium until 2012, pulled one back for Reading with a 20-yard stunner on 69 minutes – but Rangers were two up and coasting again almost immediately.
And it was that man Taarabt who set up the goal, his free-kick getting palmed away by Royals keeper Adam Federici only for Smith to pounce when the ball fell to him.
Reading substitute Simon Church should have done better on 82 minutes when he blazed over the bar from only six yards.
Royals boss Brian McDermott was left frustrated his side failed to get anything out of the contest, especially with a man advantage.
He said: “I thought the difference between the two sides was Taarabt. He has an undoubted talent and he had a good day today – and we haven’t.
“We didn’t put them under enough pressure. When it was down to 10 men we were passing the ball but not in the right areas. We’ll move on and we’ll learn from it.”
PEOPLE
PAUL WARBURTON/GAZETTE - QPR boss learns harsh lesson
QPR boss Neil Warnock remembered what happened the last time he was forced to play 10 men against Reading - his Crystal Palace side lost.
But having gone into a defensive shell back then when he was in charge of the Eagles, the Rangers manager (pictured) was determined history was not going to repeat itself this time.
After Bradley Orr was sent to warm up the showers following a rash tackle on Hal Robson-Kanu, Warnock kept strikers Rob Hulse and Jamie Mackie on the pitch - and then watched his 10 men run rampant in the second-half to score twice and win 3-1.
He said: "You think you should try and hold things up after a man is sent off. But I didn't want to go negative - and if truth be told we let them off the hook a bit with the chances we missed.
"The fans are going home knowing we were the better side, and it will take a sleeping tablet before I can come down from this high. I was very proud of the way we played in the second-half."
Royals boss Brian McDermott admitted Rangers along with Cardiff are favourites for promotion, but will be glad he only has to to meet livewire Adel Taarabt once more in the league this season.
McDermott said: "Taarabt was the difference between the two sides. He's a talented lad - and QPR are not going to lose too many games."
The Moroccan chipped a sublime penalty and made the third for Tommy Smith from a fine curling free-kick to bring further joy to his manager.
Warnock added: "Some of Adel's free-kicks in the past have knocked birds off the top of the stand. But he's been working on them, and I never thought he would be a Neil Warnock player. It ony goes to show." Ealing Gazette
QPR OFFICIAL SITE - WARNOCK: 'FULLY DESERVED'
Neil Warnock was brimming with pride after seeing his QPR side waltz to a 3-1 win against Reading - despite playing the entire second half with ten men.
Bradley Orr saw red with the hosts already 1-0 up through Adel Taarabt's spot-kick, before Alejandro Faurlin made it two on the hour.-
Shane Long reduced arrears seven minutes later, only for Tommy Smith to make it 3-1 soon after.
Warnock told www.qpr.co.uk: "We more than deserved to win the game.
"If you missed the first half, you wouldn't have known who was down to ten men.
"Reading are a good side, but I thought we were outstanding.
"No one can have any complaints with the final scoreline - it didn't flatter us one bit.
"They might pick on little bits and bobs, but we really deserved the victory."
Warnock - who played Jamie Mackie as an auxiliary right back in the second half with the R's down to ten men - added: "We decided to go for it after the sending off.
"We attacked them with Jamie at right back and we played some splendid stuff in the second half.
"The lads were brilliant.
"They were so determined and we got the result we fully deserved." QPR
READING OFFICIAL SITE Boss upset with Loftus Rd loss
Royals manager Brian McDermott was left disappointed with defeat after a dramatic afternoon at Loftus Road.
"I knew what to expect here, he said. "Neil Warnock sets his team up and they have very physical players - and it was much the same as when he came to Madejski last season.
"But we had to match that. And I don't feel that we put them under enough pressure when they went down to ten men.
"We didn't get enough balls in the box, we didn't play enough football in their final third. So it's a bitterly disappointing day for me today."
After Adel Taarabt's first half penalty and Alejando Faurlin's deflected second, the Royals responded with a wonder strike from Shane Long - but it wasn't enough to get Reading back into the contest.
"It was a great strike. He's got great ability and he smashed it straight in the top corner.
"But Shane will be gutted tonight, because we have lost the game.
"Saying that, at 2-1 I thought we were going to get something. But they got a free kick - which wasn't a free kick - and scored the crucial goal.
"Even with five minutes left I still felt we could have taken something from the game.
"Brian Howard forced a great save from Paddy Kenny, Churchy had a great opportunity. And even at that stage, if we'd got it back to 3-2, anything could have happened.
"And they were fortunate to have ten men on the pitch - I've seen the challenge on Shane in the first 15 minutes and the centre half led with his elbow.
"But we've conceded six goals in two games now and you don't want to see that. We had a great record before that and we need to make sure that doesn't happen."
"They've spent a lot of money here this season and Adel Taarabt was the difference between the sides," McDermott admitted.
"He's got amazing talent - I know that from his Tottenham days. They've made his skipper here and that shows what they think of him."
Now, Cardiff are next - the Bluebirds visit Madejski Stadium on Wednesday night in what could prove a real thriller.
"All we can do is learn from today and move on.
"We're a young side - you look at their players and they have experience all over the pitch. Our younger players are learning with every game.
"And we now focus on trying to win the next game against Cardiff. We've had a conversation in the dressing room this evening and we just want to get into the next game as quick as possible." Reading
QPR 3 Reading 1: Adel Taarabt stars again as 10-man Rangers repel Royals charge
Both managers were drooling over the perfomance of Adel Taarabt which inspired 10-man Queens Park Rangers to surge back to the top of the table.
After four successive draws had seen his team overhauled by Cardiff and on a day when full-back Bradley Orr was sent off just before half time, Neil Warnock needed his highly-rated captain to lead by example.
Taarabt responded with the kind of virtuoso display rarely seen at this level.
Not only did the former Spurs midfielder play a part in all three goals, he scored with a penalty which was as arrogant as you will see. At one stage, he was taunting the Reading defenders with the sort of overhead flicks and backheels that are normally restricted to the training ground.
Take Taarabt: QPR's Adel Taarabt ran Reading ragged
Only a few weeks ago, Warnock had reason to berate him for his attitude in a disappointing performance against Bristol City.
Back on top: QPR boss Neil Warnock aw his team retake top spot from Cardiff
The QPR manager said: ‘I think the penny’s dropped with Adel. We had a long chat after the Bristol City game because we know what he can do and in that game his contribution was unacceptable.
‘But to be fair he’s worked hard, practised his free-kicks in training and today you just couldn’t take your eyes off him. He needed three men to hold him.
‘You hope he realises now. He’s such a likeable rogue and I love him. You’d never have thought he was a Neil Warnock player. But not only is his skill a joy to watch, he’s worked on his defensive side. He’s our talisman and he’s a handful.’
Warnock’s opposite number Brian McDermott had no argument. ‘Taarabt was the difference between the teams,’ said the Reading manager. ‘He’s an undoubted talent and he had a good day.’
In a full-blooded, lively match, Rangers emphatically ended a disappointing run to put their promotion campaign back on course.
After an amazing miss by Rob Hulse during a dominant opening spell, Taarabt set them on their way by earning a penalty from Brian Howard’s clumsy challenge before chipping the spot-kick over Adam Federici.
But when Orr’s high tackle on Hal Robson-Kanu earned a straight red card from referee Steve Tanner a minute before half-time, the atmosphere changed inside Loftus Road.
The visitors came into the match and even began to dominate possession. But then Taarabt sent Jamie Mackie through with a perfectly-weighted pass and although his cross was partially cleared, Alejandro Faurlin swept in the second goal.
The confidence of the Rangers players visibly rose as they knew that even with ten men they were good enough to win.
Shane Long celebrated signing a new contract by lashing in a 25-yard drive to make the score 2-1 but QPR’s two-goal margin was restored within three minutes.
Again Taarabt was the architect, curling a free-kick over the Reading defensive wall to produce a stunning safe from Federici.
Tommy Smith was on hand to drive in the rebound. A bad miss by substitute Simon Church and a stunning save by Paddy Kenny to deny Howard ensured that the home side played out the last few minutes in comfort.
Warnock admitted that he would need a sleeping tablet to calm him down after all the excitement. ‘I was really proud to be manager of my team here,’ said the blunt Yorkshireman.Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-1327286/QPR-3-Reading-1-Adel-Taarabt-stars-10-man-Rangers-repel-Royals-charge.html#ixzz14aB1cmKT
INDEPENDENT/Steve Tongue
Taarabt wears the star but he's not the lone Ranger
Happy days are here again in Shepherd's Bush. Almost 15 years after dropping out of the Premier League, and then falling through to the third tier, Queens Park Rangers remain the only unbeaten team in the Football League. Furthermore, they sit on top of the Championship, a position regained before today's epic dust-up between Cardiff and Swansea, despite playing the whole of the second half with 10 men after a red card for their right-back Bradley Orr.
It was a deserved success for a team fashioned by Neil Warnock with a blend of silk and steel. Like Reading's Brian McDermott, Warnock steered his side to a position of safety after being summoned in a crisis last season and has lifted them into serious contention this time. They have one of the division's great entertainers in Adel Taarabt, never quite consistent enough at Tottenham but thriving here, who would acknowledge his debt to the hard graft of Shaun Derry behind him, while the second holding midfielder, Argentine Alejandro Faurlin, is a pleasing all-rounder.
McDermott felt Taarabt "was the difference today" and Warnock would not disagree about the "likeable rogue"he has made team captainto encourage greater responsibility. Naturally enough, he also wished to spread credit around more evenly. "I'm really proud to be manager of the team today,"he said. "You wouldn't have thought we were down to10 men."
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At Reading last season Rangers had a man sent off and tried to defend, then lost to a late goal. "So I thought we'd have a go at them in the second half and it was delightful to get three goals," Warnock said.
Rangers were already ahead at the time of the sending-off. Taarabt had already caused problems before wriggling into the penalty area to be tripped by Brian Howard. Older hands recalled Rodney Marsh – praise does not come much higher in these parts – who would have admired the cheeky chipped penalty with which Taarabt defeated Adam Federici.
It should have been the second goal if not the third. Early on Faurlin strode forward to crack a shot against the bar, Rob Hulse screwing the rebound weakly across the six-yard area. From Orr's cross, the old warrior Hulse did better with a header that the goalkeeper saved, then disappointingly again by heading Tommy Smith's centre over the bar.
The balance of the game, very much in the home team's favour at that stage, appeared to change just before the interval when Orr lunged in high on one of the division's more interesting names, Hal Robson-Kanu, and received a straight red card.
For the second half Rangers moved Jamie Mackie, recently made a Scottish international, to full-back and attacked when they could in a 4-4-1 formation. That made sense and brought the reward of a second goal before the visitors had threatened even once. Taarabt continued to attract the attention of two or sometimes three opponents, often luring them into frustrated fouls, and when he wriggled free to set up Tommy Smith on the right, Matthew Mills could only clear as far as Faurlin, who doubled the lead.
That proved to be the first of three goals in 10 minutes as Rangers slackened their grip then regained it. In the 68th minute Reading finally produced an effort worthy of a goal when Shane Long cut inside and hit the top corner of the net from almost 25 yards.It was only the second goal Rangers had conceded at home all season and the sixth in all.
Three minutes later, however, Federici did well enough to parry Derry's free-kick only to see Smith knock the ball back past him for a first goal on his first start since leaving Portsmouth on transfer deadline day. Independent
BBC - QPR 3 - 1 Reading
QPR ended a sequence of four draws with a victory over Reading that took them back to the top of the Championship.
Adel Taarabt converted a penalty after he had been fouled by Matt Mills before team-mate Bradley Orr was sent off for a poor challenge on Hal Robson-Kanu.
Alejandro Faurlin pounced on a loose ball to make it 2-0 before Shane Long pulled a goal back from 25 yards.
Tommy Smith sealed the victory by tapping home after Adam Federici had parried a free-kick from Taarabt.
QPR's tenure at the top of the table could be short-lived if Cardiff defeat Welsh rivals Swansea on Sunday.
But after a run of games that had seen Neil Warnock's team score just twice in four fixtures, at least the London club were back to winning ways and extended their unbeaten start to the season to 15 games.
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Taarabt provided the inspiration, drawing drawing a foul from Mills with his dribbling skills before audaciously slotting the resulting spot kick past Australia keeper Federici.
The Morocco international was also involved in the second goal, releasing Jamie Mackie down the right for a cross which was only half-cleared, allowing Faurlin to pounce.
But it was not a perfect afternoon for Rangers, with striker Rob Hulse again toiling in vain for his first goal for the club since joining from Derby in August.
He was guilty of an awful early miss after Faurlin's initial strike hit the underside of the bar, while Reading were left to rue a wasted opportunity by striker Simon Church late on which might have set up a tense finish. BBC
- Warnock Audio
MIRROR/Mike Allen-Sunday Mirror match report
Adel Taarabt gave a masterclass as 10-man QPR roared back to form and returned to the top of the Championship.
Reading had no answer to Taarabt and Rangers, even though fullback Bradley Orr was dismissed before the break.
Taarabt won and scored the opening penalty, and then set up the other goals as his team broke a run of four successive draws, knocked Cardiff off the No 1 spot for 24 hours at least and maintained the the Football League’s only unbeaten record.
Taarabt is a mercurial talent, surprisingly indulged at times by manager Neil Warnock, who admitted: “He’s a likeable rogue. I never thought he’d be a Neil Warnock player, if I’m honest. But he’s a talisman for us.
“I feel very proud to be manager of a team when they play like this. I will take a sleeping pill tonight, because I do get a bit carried away after a performance like this.”
The days when Taarabt infuriates are outweighed by those when he is a match-winner and shows why he can claim to be the best player in the division.
QPR had scored just four times in their previous six games, but there was no sign of the drought thanks to Taarabt’s brilliance, the incredible work-rate of his teammates and Warnock’s decision to go for Reading’s throat despite having only 10 men for 50 minutes.
Reading were never in the game, and despite eight goals in their previous two outings, there was no conviction going forward and their first serious effort was Shane Long’s brilliant 25- yard goal which briefly brought them back in it after 68 minutes.
Alejandro Faurlin hit the underside of the bar for QPR early on and in what was to typify his day, Rob Hulse somehow failed to convert the loose ball and then missed a few minutes later.
But that was forgotten when Taarabt beat two players on the edge of the box, and when he tried to make Brian Howard the third, the Royals midfielder brought him down. Taarabt stepped up and cheekily chipped the penalty past Adam Federici.
Hulse should have added a second, but missed again as referee Steve Tanner waved play-on after Matthew Mills flattened Taarabt.
Once play had broken down Tanner cautioned Hill, sparking the first flashpoint. Infuriated by what he saw as Taarabt’s dramatics, Reading defender Hill ran to confront QPR skipper Shaun Derry and the pair exchanged verbals and pushes.
Derry was shown a yellow and Hill was lucky to escape further sanction.
But a dismissal was not long in coming, ref Tanner reaching straight for a red card after Orr’s nasty tackle on Hal Robson-Kanu.
Far from sitting back and defending their lead after the break, Rangers took the game to Reading, who didn’t seem to know what had hit them.
Taarabt’s brilliant pass found Tommy Smith breaking Reading’s defensive line, and although Hills blocked the cross intended for Hulse, Faurlin followed in to net.
Long’s 25-yarder threw the visitors a lifeline, but Rangers’ reaction was to swarm forward again.
Faurlin was judged to have been fouled 20 yards out, Taarabt’s free kick was only palmed away by Federici, and Smith followed up to celebrate his first start with the third goal.
Reading boss Brian McDermott said: “We didn’t do ourselves justice Mirror
EALING GAZETTE/PAUL WARBURTON - Fabulous QPR win with ten men
QPR overcame a red card to Bradley Orr seconds from the end of the first-half to record a fabulous first win in five attempts.
In fact, the men in Hoops had the better of the attacks in the second period scoring twice while playing only one recognised striker.
Just when it seemed Reading were starting to mount pressure, a fine through ball saw Jamie Mackie square for Reading to partially clear only for Ali Faurlin to smash the ball back past a despairing hand from keeper Adam Federici for 2-0 following Adel Taarabt's penalty in the first-half.
Even though Shane Long reduced the arrears with a super 25-yard strike, tormentor-in-chief Taarabt delivered a curling free-kick that Federici could only push into the path of Tommy Smith for his first goal in blue-and-white.
Earlier, Hulse made a dreadful hash of a gift-wrapped chance to score after a piledriver from Ali Faurlin came back off the bar to him.
Instead of stroking the ball into the unguarded net the new striker from Derby wrapped his right foot around it and scuffed it harmlessly across the six-yard box.
Hulse did better on 22 minutes when Faurlin again picked him out - this time with a inswinging cross to head downwards and bring a good low parry from Federici.
But all hell broke lose two minutes later when Taarabt was felled en route to goal but still got a pass off to Tommy Smith who again found the head of Hulse to sky a ball over.
But for some reason best known only to him, Matt Mill ran 30 yards back to the prone Taarabt to scream at him with a pile of players all joining in. At the end of it, ref Steve Tanner incredibly booked Shaun Derry - and merely ticked off the Reading defender.
Taarabt had the last laugh when he weaved this way and that and invited the leg of Andy Griffin to trip him in the box.
The Morrocan rubbed salt into Reading wounds when he coolly chipped Federici from the spot to score.
But if the referee had already raised Rangers ire - he was roundly booed thereafter from the second he dismissed Orr making his first appearance for two months.
The defender clattered into Hal Robson-Kanu with a raised foot and Tanner immediately reached for the red.
After the break Rangers reformed with the unusual sight of leading scorer Mackie slotting in at right-back and Hulse left to forage up front for himself.
Needless to say, that demanded a number of cameos on the ball from Taarabt that served only to frustrate Reading eventually bringing a swinging tackle from Jem Karacan that earned the Reading defender a deserved yellow.
Noel Hunt then skied a ball over Rangers bar left in the open with all the goal to aim at, but sub Leon Clarke also dithered on the ball when just about through on goal. A fourth would have been no less than the 10 men deserved. Gazette
DAILY STAR
QPR 3 - READING 1: ADEL TAARABT WINDS UP ROYALS
DAILY STAR SUNDAY
ABOVE: QPR star Adel Taarabt, 21, was at the heart of everything
7th November 2010
By Hector Nunns at Loftus Road
QPR 3 -- READING 1
ADEL TAARABT can wind up just about anyone – including his Queens Park Rangers boss Neil Warnock.
But Reading were the hapless victims as the brilliant, mickey-taking Moroccan led his ten-man team back to the top of the table.
Taarabt, 21,was at the heart of everything bar the red card shown to team-mate Bradley Orr just before half-time for a wild lunge at Hal Robson-Kanu.
Warnock said: “Adel is a likeable rogue – he does things you’d pay to go and watch. I never thought he’d be my type of player – and at times the lads tolerate him – but he’s one of us and our inspiration.
“The penny has dropped. We had a long chat about his contribution after the Bristol City game, which was unacceptable.
“Today he needed three men marking him, it was a joy to watch but he also worked hard and was about as responsible as he will ever be.
“I’ll have to take a sleeping pill tonight as I do get carried away. Days like this are why you are in football.”
Disappointed Royals boss Brian McDermott said: “I thought Taarabt was the difference between the two sides. He has a huge talent, had a good day, had a hand in at least two of the goals, and we didn’t deal with it. We have to stop those things.
“But QPR are not going to lose many and, along with Cardiff and Swansea I expect them to stay up there.”
Reading’s Matt Mills could have followed Orr off the pitch for an early bath as Taarabt drove them crazy.
The ex-Spurs forward gave Rangers, whose record unbeaten league run now stands at 15, the lead with a first-half penalty that he won.
And his free-kick, saved by Reading goalkeeper Adam Federici, led to Tommy Smith on his first start grabbing Rangers’ third.
In between times Alejandro Faurlin scored Rangers’ second, before Irishman Shane Long had offered McDermott’s side brief hope at 2-1.
Rangers grabbed the lead after 25 minutes and the goal was all Taarabt’s own work.
He picked up a loose ball on the left and bamboozled half the Reading team before Brian Howard chopped him down in the area.
The spot-kick itself was sublime, a chip that floated in over Aussie Adam Federici.
It provoked chants of ‘Taarabt’s too good for you’, as the home fans carried on the wind-up operation.
The match looked ready to boil over and it duly did just before the break, Orr shown a straight red card for a wild challenge on Robson-Kanu.
Top scorer James Mackie, without a goal for seven matches, saw his cross from the right bounce out to Faurlin – and his fierce drive flew in off a defender.
Long pulled one back with a fine 20-yard shot after 69 minutes – but Smith quickly tucked away the rebound after Taarabt’s curling free-kick was saved by Federici.
Star
QPR OFFICIAL SITE
Ten-man QPR recorded a stunning 3-1 victory against Reading at Loftus Road.
Adel Taarabt gave the R's the lead from the penalty spot midway through the first half, after Brian Howard was adjudged to have felled the Moroccan international in the box.
Rangers were dealt a blow when Bradley Orr was dismissed for a challenge on Hal Robson-Kanu just moments short the break, before Faurlin increased the R's advantage on the hour mark.
Shane Long gave Brian McDermott's men hope with a terrific effort in the 68th minute.
Before Tommy Smith made sure the R's would take all three points on 71 minutes, netting his first goal for the Club from close range following Taarabt's excellent free-kick that was tipped back into his direction.
QPR made two changes to the starting XI that shared the spoils with Burnley at Loftus Road last time out.
Orr came in for Clint Hill, while Smith was handed his first start in R's colours at the expense of Hogan Ephraim.
Paddy Kenny was in goal for Rangers.
Orr, Matt Connolly, Kaspars Gorkss and Kyle Walker made up the R's back four.
Shaun Derry and Faurlin were in defensive midfield.
Jamie Mackie, Taarabt and Smith operated in more advanced roles ahead of the holding two, in support of Rob Hulse up front.
The R's should have been ahead on as early as eight minutes.
When Taarabt and Faurlin combined 25-yards out, the latter drilled a rasping drive on target that smashed against the underside of the bar, before bouncing on the goal-line and back into play.
Hulse reacted first to the loose ball but couldn't apply the finish, as his dragged effort from close range trickled towards the line before the ball was cleared to safety.
The opening exchanges were certainly fierce, though referee Mr Tanner seemed happy to let proceedings flow despite a number of meaty challenges.
Rangers continued to press, with Adam Federici forced into a super save to thwart Hulse, whose header looked certain to be heading for the bottom left-hand corner of the net.
Moments later, the R's went even closer.
Mackie was in the thick of the early action and, after he was freed on the right-hand edge of the box, his resultant cross was too far behind Smith for him to get a touch.
The R's were dominant and they deservedly took the lead from the penalty spot on 27 minutes.
Taarabt skilfully rode two challenges and, as he went to skip past the third of Howard, he was hauled to the ground.
The magical Moroccan dusted himself down before coolly dispatching from the spot, sending the cheekiest of lobs into the top right-hand corner.
Soon after, Hulse should have doubled the R's advantage.
Taarabt found Faurlin out wide on the left, before the Argentinean ace's centre was met by the head of Hulse, who could only nod agonisingly over the bar.
Rangers were dealt a cruel blow on the stroke of half-time, after Orr was harshly given a straight red card following a tackle on Robson-Kanu.
It was, in truth, a late challenge on the Royals midfield man - though just as it looked as if the referee was reaching for a yellow card, he stunned the home faithful by sending Orr from the field.
In light of the R's being reduced to 10 men, R's gaffer Neil Warnock was forced into a tactical reshuffle - with Mackie made to play a deeper role of right-back at the start of the second period.
Despite being a man short, Rangers didn't hold back.
Indeed, Mackie played in Smith down the right and, as he sent over a looping centre in the direction of Hulse, the R's striker powered his header straight at Federici.
The R's added work-rate and endeavour was clear for all to see - and Loftus Road was sent into raptures when Faurlin doubled QPR's advantage on 61 minutes.
Mackie was sent clear down the right and he laid a cross back into the area for Hulse.
Reading defender Matt Mills slid superbly across his six-yard box to clear the ball away - but only as far Faurlin on the edge of the area, who followed up to blast home a deflected effort into the top left-hand corner of the net.
Minutes later, Rangers nearly added a third.
Confusion between Andy Griffin and Jobi McAnuff eventually ended in Mackie through one-on-one with Federici, before the stopper did brilliantly well to block the ball against the R's front-man for a goal kick.
Reading reduced their deficit thanks to a lovely strike from Long on 68 minutes.
Long held off his marker 25-yards out before curling a beautiful effort into the top right-hand corner of the goal.
However, 19 minutes from time, Rangers sealed the points.
Faurlin was felled 30 yards from goal, before Taarabt's free-kick - that seemed to be heading for the top left-hand corner - was palmed only as far as Smith from six yards.
The Pompey loanee made no mistake thereafter, slotting home from close range to seal the win.
QPR: Paddy Kenny, Bradley Orr, Shaun Derry, Adel Taarabt (Leon Clarke 81), Alejandro Faurlin, Jamie Mackie, Kaspars Gorkss, Kyle Walker, Matt Connolly, Rob Hulse (Patrick Agyemang 81), Tommy Smith (Hogan Ephraim 90).
Subs: Radek Cerny, Mikele Leigertwood, Martin Rowlands, Josh Parker.
Goals: Taarabt (pen 27), Faurlin (61), Smith (71)
Bookings: Derry (31), Clarke (87)
Red Cards: Orr (44)
Reading: Adam Federici, Andy Griffin, Jem Karacan (Simon Church 62), Matthew Mills, Jay Tabb (Michail Antonio 81), Shane Long, Jobi McAnuff, Zurab Khizanishvili, Hal Robson-Kanu (Noel Hunt 72), Brian Howard, Ian Harte.
Subs: Alex McCarthy, Shaun Cummings, Alex Pearce, Chris Armstrong.
Bookings: Mills (30), Karacan (60)
Referee: Mr S J Tanner
Attendance: 15, 692 (2, 461) QPR
READING OFFICIAL SITE
-Report: Long stunner not enough
Posted on: Sat 06 Nov 2010
QPR 3 (Taarabt pen 26, Faurlin 61, Smith 71)
Reading 1 (Long 68)
QPR returned to the top of the npower Championship with a 3-1 victory over Reading at Loftus Road this afternoon.
Adel Taarabt was the star of the show - scoring one and playing a key role in setting up both of Rangers' others.
He opened the scoring by winning and converting a 26th minute spotkick. Tripped on the left side of the area, his cheekily chipped spotkick gave Adam Federici no chance.
Bradley Orr saw red just before the break for a high challenge on Hal Robson-Kanu and Reading looked to get back into the game after the break.
But Alejandro Faurlin doubled the hosts' lead with a deflected finish from 15 yards.
Shane Long produced a wonder goal to get the Royals back into the game - smashing a 25-yard thunderbolt past Paddy Kenny and into the top right corner to reignite the clash.
But moments later, a superb Taarabt free kick was brilliantly saved by Federici only for Tommy Smith to follow up and finish from a tight angle.
Simon Church and Brian Howard had late chances to worry Neil Warnock's men, but Kenny pushed the latter's late effort around his post with his fingertips and Reading left West London with nothing to show for their efforts.....
First half
The first chance of the game was a glorious one for the hosts. After a stop-start opening eight minutes, Alejandro Faurlin curled a wonderful 22-yard effort past Federici but it bounced down off the stanchion for Hulse, only six yards out. He merely had to tap it home, but somehow contrived to scuff his effort completely and Andy Griffin gratefully hooked it clear of danger.
A lively affair was witnessing its fair share of hefty challenges and both sides looked to attack - Tabb at one end scurrying onto a ball over the top but shepherded wide of goal, Mackie at the other end lashing high into the away fans from a difficult angle.
With 21 minutes on the clock, Federici was in alert action again, this time pushing a downward Rob Hulse header away from his bottom right corner and Khizanishvili was on hand to hack it clear.
Soon after McAnuff led a great break down the right flank, but his low cross into the near post was well read and Tabb couldn't get on the end of it after a lung-busting run to get into the box.
QPR came very close to bagging an opener five minutes later, Mackie making progress down the right and cutting it across for Smith, who made a mess of shooting from six yards out.
Sadly, Adel Taarabt recycled it on the far side, cut inside two men and fell to ground under a challenge. The referee had no hesitation in pointing to the spot and Taarabt cheekily chipped home the spotkick to gift Rangers the lead.
Taarabt's trickery in midfield was causing real problems and Mills recieved a booking for a late challenge on the Moroccan. The play was allowed to continue and Hulse should have done better with a header in the penalty area that sailed over Federici's crossbar.
The end of the half ended in high drama. Bradley Orr flew into a meaty challenge on Hal Robson-Kanu as the Royals winger tried to break down the left. And referee Tanner adjudged it a dangerous challenge to produce a straight red card for the Rangers right back. Neil Warnock's men would have to tackle the second half with only ten men.
Second half
Reading's early intent was evident in Jobi McAnuff's break forward which ended in a Tabb volley from distance that flew over Paddy Kenny's crossbar.
McAnuff then tested Kenny with a low strike from distance in only the second minute since the restart.
But QPR still posed a threat at the other end. Faurlin threaded a low cross through to Hulse who tried to get a glancing head to it at the near post but Federici was calmly behind it.
Taarabt provided Rangers' sole outlet - but what an outlet! Everything the wily midfielder did seemed to turn to gold, and it was his throughball that created QPR's second. Taarabt's clever throughball released Hulse who slid a low cross into the six yard box. Mills did well to backheel it away from a lurking striker, but it fell to Faurlin, who smashed it home off a Royals defender from 15 yards out.
Taarabt's sheer presence up front almost carved out another opportunity moments later, but Griffin tracked back to dispossess him at the last after he's edged the ball around Federici and bore down on an open goal.
Brian McDermott introduced Simon Church for Karacan, and Church almost had an immediate impact. Robson-Kanu dribbled into the box from the left and cut it back for Church, whose first time shot was frustratingly blocked by Long who couldn't get out of the way.
Out of nowhere, Shane Long produced something special to reignite the contest. Turning away from his man, he unleashed an unstoppable right-footed strike that whistled past Kenny and into the top right corner. A quite wonderful goal from Long which may well be the best he's ever scored. The rejuvenated Royals fans rejoiced and sensed a way back into the match.
But that hope was quickly snuffed out by an unbeaten and reslient home side full of confidence. Tabb conceded a free kick on the edge of the area and Taarabt curled a vicious free kick over the wall only for Federici to pull off a world class save to palm it off his line. But Tommy Smith reacted quickest and sidefooted home the loose ball from a tight angle.
Matt Mills had a fleeing chance to reduce the deficit again, but headed a corner back across the face of goal to no avail. And the Royals continued to press, throwing a third striker in Noel Hunt on up front.
Church was given a golden opportunity to set up a thrilling finish, but ater taking in Long's pass he stabbed his hurried left-footed effort over the bar.
Then Howard forced Kenny to produce a wonderful fingertip save to tip a left-footed drive around the left upright. But it wasn't to be the Royals' afternoon. Reading
- Forty-Two Years Ago: Alec Stock Out and "The Doc" - Tommy Docherty - Joins QPR
The Official Supporters Club: Seventy-Five Years Old!
- QPR In The Community - To Celebrate their 75th Anniversay QPR OSC are running a Ska Music night in Hammersmith on Saturday 27th November with proceeds going to QPR in the Community Trust. Please show this event your support re OSC
Football League - LEAGUE CLUBS BACK POPPY APPEAL
- The South Wales derby will continue Football League clubs' support of the annual Poppy appeal with both Cardiff City and Swansea City set to have the iconic image emblazoned on their shirts this weekend.
- Tranmere Rovers marked the start of the Remembrance period by wearing the Poppy on their shirts against Milton Keynes Dons on 30th October and over the next two weekends, eight other League outfits will follow suit.
- At Cardiff, 220 Royal Welsh Guards will be parading around the pitch as part of the club's pre-match programme and then on Tuesday the Poppy will be worn by Queens Park Rangers. The following weekend Burnley, Reading, Portsmouth, Leicester City, Yeovil Town, Preston North End and Leeds United will be paying their respects via their club shirts.
- Tranmere Rovers fans can now bid for the special signed Poppy shirts worn by the players in the 4-2 win over MK Dons which now are going under the auctioneer's gavel.
- Click here to start bidding... ." ...Football League
- Recalling the Formation of the World War I Footballers’ Battalion
- APPROACHING 1,300 DAYS SINCE QPR's LAST FAN FORUM......More Than Six Months Since the Last Club/Fan Meeting
- Donate to QPR GIRLS ONLINE